Radiator and heating unit



June 24, 1924.

G. G. PREFONTAINE RADIATOR AND HEATING UNIT Filed DeC 15 1920 2Sheets-Sheet l Qwuemtoa; George EPrefunTaine flfl o'cmy as a l l I June24, 1924. 1,498,574

G. G. PREFONTAiNE RADIATOR AND HEATING UNIT Filed Dec. 15. 1920 2Sheets-Shes 2v n33 v :fiLZO .73- Via EED QEGPTEIDnLI-IM Patented June24, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,498,574 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE G. PREFONTAINE, F TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAME. DARBY, 0'1? TROY, NEW YORK.

RADIATOR AND HEATING UNIT.

Application filed December 15, 1920. Serial No. 430,952.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE G. PnnroN- TAINE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Radiators andHeating Units, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to radiators of the steam, vapor or hot watertype, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improvedradiator having heating means incorporated therein, such as a gasburner, electric heating coil or the like, whereby the necessity ofproviding an independent heater or furnace remote from the radiator iseliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved radiatorhaving a self contained heating appliance, which can be connected to aseries of radiators for heating fluid therein, the improved radiatorbeing also adapted, if so desired, for connection in the usual, steam,vapor or hot water heating system, so that the heat radiating fiuid inthe improved radiator can be independently heated, if the main heatingplant is not in operation.

A' further object of the invention is to provide a radiator embodyingnovel radiator sections, which are so constructed as to permit the freepassage of air therethrough, whereby the surrounding air can be directlyheated, as well as indirectly heated by the heat radiating from theheating fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a radiator, animproved section with a novel heating chamber, and a novel means forpermitting the circulation of the heating medium around the same, andthe circulation of air through the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedradiator and heating unit of the above character, which will be durableand efiicient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture,and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will behereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichdrawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved radiator constructed inaccordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a Vertical transverse section through the radiator takenthrough the section embodying the heating appliance.

Figure 3 is a similar section illustrating a different type of heatingappliance in the heating chamber of the improved radiator section.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of one of the radiator sections, which isadapted to be operatively connected to the sect-ion embodying theheating appliance.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section through the radiator takenthrough one of the sections, which are adapted to be connected to thesection embodying the heating appliance.

Figure 6 is a detail horizontal taken on the line 66 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 7-7 of-Figure3, and

Figure 8 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 88 of Figure5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters desig nate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A indicates the improved radiator, constructed in accordancewith this invention, which includes a cen tral unit B having the heatingappliance or unit therein, and a plurality of heat radiating sections C.

The sections C are arranged in two series, one on each side of thesection B, and the sections C are connected to the section B at sectionpoints 10, 11, and 12, and similarly connected to each other.. Vhile thesection B has been shown between two series of the sections C, it is tobe understood that the sec tion B may be located at either end of aseries of the sections C, or a plurality of the sections B may beutilized with the series of sections C. The section B and the sections Ceach include vertically disposed transversely extending bodies and 16,which are constructed somewhat the same, and each form means forradiating heat, so as to warm the surrounding atmosphere.

The body 15 of the section B includes an outer shell having the sidewalls 17, the end Walls 18, which include the sides 19 converging towardeach other from the side walls, and the top wall 19, which extendsupwardly and inwardly from the end walls 18. A horizontally disposedpartition plate 20 is arranged in the body intermediate its ends, anddivides the body into a heating'compartment 21, and a heat radiatingportion 22. The heating compartment 21 has positioned therein an. innershell arranged in spaced relation to the outer shell of the body 15 andthe inner shell conforms to the general configuration of the outer shellof the body 15, and includes the side walls 23 and the end walls 24. Theupper ends of the side and end walls. 23 and 24 of the inner shell,extend into engagement with the partition plate which forms a top wallfor the same. The lower ends of the side and end walls 23 and 24 areconnected by integral flanges 25 with the side and end walls of theouter shell of the body, and form a water tight compartment for theheating medium. The inner surface of the end walls 24 of the inner shellmay be providedwith suitable rabbeted ears 26, for the reception of aremovable bottom wall 27, which is provided with a plurality of openings28, through which cold. air is adapted to enter. The heat radiatingcompartment 22 has extended therethrough, on each side of the verticalaxis of the body, transversely extending elongated air pipes 29, andthese pipes extend from one side wall 17 to the other, and areintegrally connected therewith. The upper compartment 22 also hasextending longitudinally there- I through, a central flue for gases,which is arranged intermediate the side and end walls of the body 15.The central fine 30 has its lower end connected tothe partition plate20, so as to permit warm gases from the heating compartment 21 to flowtherethrough, and the upper end of the fine is connected to the top wall19 of the body, which is provided with a plurality of escape openings32, through which the warm heated gases are adapted to escape into thesurrounding atmosphere.

Arranged in the heat radiating section 22 on each side of the air pipes29, are longitudinal flues 33 for gases, which are also arranged inspaced relation to the side and end walls of the body, and these pipesare shaped in cross section so as to conform to the configuration of theside and end walls of the body. The outer sides of the fines 33, inreality form continuations of the side walls 24 of the inner shell, ascan be readily seen by referring to Figure 2 of the drawings. The lowerends of these flues 33 extend through the partition plate 20 so as tocommunicate with the heating chamber 21, whereby the warm gases will bepermitted to flow therethrough. The upper terminals of the flues 33 areprovided with inwardly extending angular extensions 34, whichcommunicate with the central cylindrical flue 30 on the opposite sidesthereof, and the warm gases flowing through the side flues 33 will flowinto the central flue 30 at its upper end, and then out through theopenings 32, formed in the central portion of the top wall 19.

of insulating columns 38, around which are wound resistance coils 39.These coils 39 are connected to suitable line wires 40, which areextended to any suitable source of electrical energy. The flow ofcurrent through the electric heater 35, may be controlled by anypreferred type of switch, such as the usual hand operated switch, or bya time switch, so that the heater will be automatically cutofi after apredetermined time, which is deemed sufficient to heat the heatradiating means. The lower plate 37 is provided with depending studs41', the lower terminals of which are reduced and screw threaded, andextended through suitable openings formed in the removable lower wall27. These studs are held against accidental displacement, by means ofnuts 42. i

. By referring to Figure 3, it can be seen that a gas burner 43, isutilized for heating the heat radiating medium, instead of the electricheater, and it is to be understood that any other preferred type ofheater may be utilized, such as a coal oil burner, gasoline burner orthe like. The gas burner 43, as shown, is provided with depending legs44, the lower terminals of which are screw threaded and extend throughsuitable openings formed in the bottom wall 27, and these. screwthreaded reduced portions have threaded thereon, suitable retaining nuts45. The burner 43 has communicating therewith, the depending stem 46,which extends through the lower wall 27, and this stem has communicationwith a gas feed pipe 47. Suitable air openings 48 are formed in thestem, so as to permit the intake of air with the: gas. In order topermit the easy lighting of the burner 43, a pilot burner 49 isprovided. The pilot burner 49 is located externally of the heaterchamber 21, and the lower wall 27 is provided with a .relatively largeopening 50, so. that the'fiame from the burner 49 will be permitted toproject into the heater compartment into engagement with the burner 43.

It can be seen that when it is desired to clean the burner, it is merelynecessary to remove the fastening screws which hold the lower wall inposition, and the entire burner can be readily taken out of the heatingcompartment.

From the description of the section B, it can be seen that the water ispermitted to flow entirely around the inner shell, which forms theheating compartment 21, after which the same is permitted to flowupwardly into the heat radiating compartment 22. The heating medium isfurther heated by the flow of the heated gases through the fines 30 and38, and it also can be seen that the heated gases going through theoutlet openings 32, will also heat the surrounding atmosphere. In orderto provide a relatively large surface for heat radiation, thetransversely extending air pipes 29 are provided, and it can be seenthat the air is permitted to circulate through these openings, and thuscarry the heat away from the body. The outer surface of the body, also,if so desired,-may be corrigated, so as to increase the heat radiatingsurface thereof, The outer surface of the end walls of the body 15 atthe vertical axis thereof, is provided with upper and lower nipples 51and 52, and an intermediate nipple 53. These nipples 51, 52 and 53, formmeans for permitting the circulation of the heating medium from thesection B to the sections C, and each of the sections C are formed withlike nipples for watertight connection with the nipples of the sectionB, so that the sections B and C can be connected at the points 10, 11and 12, as indicated on Figure 1 of the drawings.

Each of the sections C has the general configuration and outline of thesection B, with the exception that the side walls 60 of the section 0,which are curved inwardly as at 61, on each side of the vertical axisthereof, for the reception of the upper and lower elongated air pipes 62and 68, which will be hereinafter more specifically described. AsClGZLl'l shown in the drawings, the air pipes 62 and 63, extend entirelythrough the sections, and form means for permitting the circulation ofair transverse ly therethrough. These pipes 62 and 63, correspond to thepipes 29, formed in the upper radiating portion 22 of the section B. Thebodies 16 of the sections C each include the side walls 60 and the endwalls 6%, which also include the outwardly extending converging sideplates 65, and a top wall 66, which also extends inwardly and upwardlyfrom the end walls 6%. The side walls 60 and the end walls 64 areconnected at their lower edges by flat bottom walls 67, and this body 16forms means for receiving the heating medium, which, as stated, may beeither vapor, steam, hot water, or the like. The body 16 has arranged atthe vertical. axis thereof, a longitudinally extending centrallydisposed cyranged outwardly lindrical air flue 68, which extends throughthe lower wall and upwardly into engagement with the upper wall 66,where its terminal is flared outwardly at 69. This portion of the wall66 is provided with a plurality of air escape openings 70. his centralvertical flue 68 is arranged intermediate the air pipes 62 and 63; andarof the air pipes 62 and 63 and in spaced relation to the side walls64: are vertical air flues 71 and 72. These flues 71 and 72 extendthrough the lower wall 67 as shown, and are provided with inwardlyextending angular extensions 72 which communicate with the oppositesides of the central fine 68. These flues 71 and 72 have a crosssectional configuration, which conforms to the general configuration ofthe end walls 64. By this construction, it can be seen that the cold airfrom the bottom of the room will be permitted to flow into the fines 68,71 and 72 and flow vertically through the radiator sections and becomeheated by the heat radiating from the radiator, and this air is thenpermitted to flow through the openings out into the room, and thus heatthe same.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the radiator isconstructed as an air heater, as well as a heater for hot Water or thegeneration of steam or vapor. The sections C as stated, are alsoprovided with the upper and lower nipples 73, 74, and the intermediatenipples 75, and these nipples are adapted to be connected to the nipples51, 52, and 53, carried by the section B, in the usual manner.

One of the radiator sections B or C may be provided with a removableplug, so that the sections can be initially filled with water, and asshown the section B is provided at its upper end with a threaded nipple80, which is adapted to removably re ceive the plug 81.

WVhen it is desired to use the radiators A in series, the end sectionsmay have communicating with the lower nipples inlet and outlet pipes 82and 83, which can be provided with suitable cut off valves 84;, if sodesired. A suitable air escape valve 85 is also provided.

It is to be also understood that the end sections C formed in theradiator, are to be provided with ground engaging feet 86.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of this invention; but,

I claim:

1. A radiator comprising a plurality of heat radiating sections and aheating and heat radiating section having communicating compartments forthe circulation of a heating medium, means for connecting the sectionstogether at their upper and lower ends and intermediate their ends, saidheating and heat radiating section including a loWer enclosedcompartment having anopen bottom, a heating. unit arranged in saidcompartment, a chamber surrounding the enclosed compartment forpermitting the circulation of the heating medium around the saidcompartment, means for permitting the circulation of the heating mediumabove said enclosed compartment, and vertical flues arranged in the heatradiating section and open.- to the atmosphere above said heating andheat radiating section for permitting the flow of gases through theenclosed compartment, through the heat radiating portion of the sectionabove said compartment and into the atmosphere there above.

2. A radiator including a heating and heat radiating section comprisinga lower enclosed heating compartment having its bottom open to theoutside atmosphere, and an upper heat radiating portion, a chambersurrounding the heating compartment for permitting the circulation of aheating medium around saidcompartment, means for permitting of thecirculation of the heating medium through the heat radiating portionabove the heating compartment, and vertical fiues extending through theheat radiating portion for permitting the flow of gases through theheating compartment and through the heat radiating portion above saidcompartment.

3. In a radiator, a section including an outer body, a horizontallydisposed partition plate arranged in said body defining an uppercompartment and a lower compartment, an inner shell arranged in thelower compartment connected to the partition plate, the shell defining aheating medium circulating ortion around said lower compartment, alieating unit arranged in said compartment, an intermediate fluearranged at the vertical axis of the upper compartment with its upperend arranged adjacent the upper Wall of the outer body, the upper Wallof the outer body having a plurality of openings therein forcommunication with said flue, and side fines extending through the uppercompartment and communicating With the lower compartment ElHClWltll thecentral flue at the upper end thereof, and transversely extending airpipes extending through the section intermediate the flues.

GEORGE G. PREFONTAINE.

